LM March 2018

2018 National Conference on Education, Nashville TN

Illinois Superintendents Shine at the AASAConference Congratulations to Dr. David Schuler, 2018 National Superintendent of the Year

Dr. David Schuler, Superintendent of Schools at Township High School District #214 in Arlington Heights, has been named the 2018 National Superintendent of the Year by the American Association of School Administrators (AASA). Schuler is a national education leader and superintendent of the second largest high school district in Illinois with more than 12,000 students at six high schools and four specialized learning programs in the northwest suburbs of Cook County. He is passionate about preparing students to be college, career and life ready. He has testified about college and career readiness before the U.S. Senate Committees on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions and before the House Committees on Education. He has received numerous awards for his achievement in the field of education. The award was presented on February 15 during the National Conference on Education in Nashville, TN.

Women in School Leadership Award Superintendent Category Dr. Blondean Davis

Dr. Blondean Davis is a 21st-century, no-nonsense educator and visionary CEO and founder of the Southland College Preparatory Charter High School in Richton Park, IL and is superintendent of Matteson School District #162. She is recognized nationally as an educational leader who believes that every child has a right to learn and can achieve the skills needed for success. She was recognized in 2016 by the National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE) with the Ida B. Wells Risk Taker Award for her contributions in educating African-American students. AASA Distinguished Service Award Dr. Jane Westerhold Dr. Jane Westerhold has been an educator for more than 40 years. She is interim superintendent of North Shore District 112, Highland Park, IL. One of her major accomplishments was overseeing the successful completion and opening of a comprehensive early learning center, which was named in her honor in 2015 as the Jane Westerhold Early Learning Center. She is passionate about preparing students to be globally competitive and became the driving force behind the digital transformation in teaching and learning in District #62. She was the 2015 President of IASA and named Illinois Superintendent of the Year in 2013.

AASA National Certification for Superintendents: Dr. Laurie Heinz, Superintendent, Park Ridge-Niles CCSD 64, Park Ridge, IL; Dr. Melissa Kaczkowski, Superintendent, Roselle SD 12, Roselle, IL; Trisha Kocanda, Superintendent, Winnetka PSD 36, Winnetka, IL; and Dr. Nancy Wagner, Superintendent, River Trails SD 26, Mount Prospect, IL AASA Aspiring Superintendents Academy ® Graduates: Dr. Joshua Olsen, Assistant Superintendent, Olympia CUSD 16, Stanford, IL; and Dr. Corey Tafoya, Superintendent, Harvard CUSD 50, Harvard, IL Completion of AASA Leadership Academy: Dr. Donald Owen, Superintendent, Urbana CUSD 116, Urbana, IL; Todd Dugan, Superintendent, New Holland-Middletown ESD 88, Middletown, IL; and Dr. Carol Kelley, Superintendent, Oak Park ESD 97, Oak Park, IL 5